James Pattinson receives attention from Australian team physiotherapist Alex Kountouris during the second Test at Adelaide. Source: Getty Images

AUSTRALIA is under fire for ignoring its own sports science protocols after tearaway James Pattinson's fourth breakdown this year.

Former Test paceman Jason Gillespie told News Limited ahead of the second Test that seven-Test speedster Pattinson, 22, would be rested in Adelaide if CA stuck to its management principles of rotating young fast bowlers.

Gillespie was worried by Pattinson's injury file after sending down 53 overs in the first Test at the Gabba.

Pattinson endured a foot stress fracture in the second Test against India last January, back strain in the second Test against West Indies at Port of Spain in April and an abdominal tear in the one-day series against England, before succumbing against South Africa yesterday in Adelaide.

National chairman of selectors John Inverarity in October said "rotation was reality" this summer in order to prevent injuries.

Instead, dynamic Pat Cummins is already sidelined and Pattinson's summer is in doubt with a sidestrain after dejectedly returning from an MRI scan in Adelaide yesterday.

Yorkshire coach Gillespie hoped left-armer Mitchell Starc played in Adelaide, with Pattinson kept on ice for the third Test decider on a pacy Perth strip.

"Iam just putting my coaching hat on with what the selectors are thinking and what they have said over the past couple of months talking about rotation and long-term plans for their quicks," said Gillespie, with Pattinson leaving the field in the morning session complaining of side soreness having bowled just seven balls.

"In keeping with their own policy, Pattinson wouldn't have played.

"Having saidthat do you want to pick your best side or do you want to stick with your policy of managing players' workloads?

"If they go down the management route he doesn't play in Adelaide as they want him for Perth.

"It is an interesting conundrum for selectors to have."

Pattinson had figured in four first-class matches and a one-day game for Victoria ahead of the first Test in Brisbane, while managing two one-games against England in July and four against Pakistan in September.

CA originally indicated player rotation was paramount this summer, with Inverarity saying: "In the interests of developing some depth and creating opportunities for some players, I think phasing a few in and out is the best way to go."

Version two became beat South Africa first, then rest pacemen against a modest Sri Lanka untit later this summer.

Pattinson was asked last Monday about the exact nature of the rotation rule but said it was up to medicos to determine.

"I put the faith in the medical staff," said Pattinson, who took the new ball in the 81st over but pulled up lame after the first delivery of his second over to Faf du Plessis.

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